Picnic under the bridge

Van life presents limitless spontaneous moments. The Mothership we rented for this trip came with an aftermarket refrigerator. It looks mostly like a big cooler, but runs off the battery. This means it stays on all the time – no ice to worry about. 

Harkers Island, NC

Taking our own food on the trip is a game-changer. We have less downtime, save money, and eat healthier. Plus, we have our meals in beautiful spots.

Joelle is a top notch navigator. She finds the coolest places for us to explore and camp. When we set the course for the day, we ask ourselves, "Where do we want to wake up tomorrow?" What view do we want from the van windows?

Not every place we find online or in the AAA Guidebook is a winner. Before we got to Harkers Island, we traveled down some gravel roads to a destination that had stunning sunset pictures in their review. Our first clue should have been the chain link fence that greeted us at the entrance. Although the small wooden sign on the road read "Campground," we feel like it would have been more appropriate to read, "Enter at your own risk." 

There were no people, no office, no hookups, no restrooms. We're rather fond of rustic spots in beautiful locations, but this was not one of them. It looked more like Meth Lab Camp. We kept driving.

Sunrise on the island

Which is how we found Harkers Island. Home of tiny houses and the best fried chicken I've had in years. (We splurged on dinner at Captain's Choice.) We ate dinner in the van that night, because Baby it was cold outside. 

Scooter loves to snuggle in the sleeping bags.

Thank you Darryl for leaving me your winter weight sleeping bags, because we were toasty as could be when the winds kicked up enough to start rocking the van. 

Harkers Island

Tiny houses on Harkers Island

The next day and next picnic found us on the Intracoastal Highway, Sunset Beach, NC.

Whole new meaning to camping under a bridge.

Where are we going to wake up tomorrow?